Rail Freight Support Package

In February 2008 the State Government announced a $20 million package for Victoria's rail freight industry. The two year package will provide a temporary rebate for container freight carried on rail services from Warrnambool, Horsham, Mildura and Shepparton/Tocumwal. The package will also extend a new rail access fee rebate for domestic grain to include export grain.

Information on this page

• Eligibility criteria
• How to apply for a rebate payment
• About the Support Package
• Rail Freight Access reference charges

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Eligibility criteria

To qualify as a candidate for a rebate payment, a shipper must meet the following criteria:

1. Have used train services to haul bulk grain from whatever source location, typically being a country silo fed by road hauliers, to:
   1. one or more domestic user locations, or
   2. one or more recognised intermediate distribution points, or
   3. one or more export terminals.
2. be able to provide adequate evidence of having paid for the transport services in question.

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How to apply for a rebate payment

A shipper can apply for a rebate by completing an application form and submitting it to the department.

• Application form (PDF, 17 KB, 2 pp.)
• Application form (Rich Text Format, 28 KB)

The form is to be accompanied by a copy of the train operator’s manifest, one for each individual consignment or origin/destination movement, together with a copy of the train operator’s invoice for the services provided and a tax invoice for the amount of rebate claimed.

You can use this spreadsheet (Excel file, 81 KB) to calculate the rebate payment a shipper may be entitled to. Enter your details into the shaded cells. Note: This spreadsheet is provided for information purposes only. Your actual rebate will be calculated by the department at the time your application is processed.

Applications should be sent by email or by post to:

John Clarebrough
Director
Freight & Logistics
Department of Transport
Level 11
121 Exhibition St
Melbourne VIC 3000

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About the Support Package

In recognition of the economic and environmental advantages of rail transport over road haulage for bulk commodities, the Victorian Government is seeking to encourage the movement of freight on rail where it is practical to do so.

In order to support the continued carriage of bulk grain by rail and as an initial response to recommendations contained in the Rail Freight Network Review Report, the Government has introduced a scheme under which rebate payments will be made to shippers of bulk grain.

The scheme is available to shippers who contract for the carriage of bulk grain by rail which is either moved to terminals for export or is destined for users within Victoria, being the domestic market.

The rebate scheme will be administered by the Department of Transport. For Domestic grain the scheme will operate for 12 months from 1 January 2008. For export grain the scheme will operate for 2 years commencing 1 July 2008.

The rebate to be paid to shippers will be equivalent to the difference between the current access charges for use of the rail track, as published by V/Line and paid by the rail operator, and access charges modelled on those being levied by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) on lines it manages within Southern NSW. These reference charges are set out below.

After receiving the documentary evidence specified by the department, showing the movement claimed for has actually taken place, the Government will provide a rebate directly to the shipper concerned.

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Rail Freight Access reference charges (exclusive of GST)

1. The Southern NSW “ARTC” rate of $3.567/’000GTK & $0.458/train km in respect of grain trains travelling on the following lines:
   1. Shepparton – Tocumwal
   2. Toolamba – Echuca
   3. Korong Vale – Boort
   4. Inglewood – Wycheproof
   5. Dunolly – Inglewood
   6. Gheringhap – Ballarat
   7. Melbourne Freight Lines
   8. all lines (other than those set out paragraph 1(a)-(g), 2 and 3) which are predominately used for passenger traffic.
      
      
2. Maroona – Portland grain trains at the ARTC rate for Maroona – Geelong of $2.62/’000GTK & $1.64/train km.
   
   
3. The Southern NSW “ARTC” rate of $2.244/’000GTK & $0.458/train km in respect of grain trains travelling on the following lines:
   1. Wodonga – Bandiana
   2. Benalla – Oaklands
   3. Shepparton – Dookie
   4. Echuca – Deniliquin
   5. Barnes – Burraboi
   6. Swan Hill – Piangil
   7. Boort – Robinvale
   8. Wycheproof – Kulwin
   9. Eaglehawk – Inglewood
   10. Mildura –Yelta
   11. Ouyen – Panita
   12. Murtoa – Hopetoun
   13. Dimboola – Yaapeet
   14. Maroona – Portland
   15. Warrnambool – Dennington
   16. Moolart – Marybrough
   17. Ballarat – Dunolly (via Maryborough)
   18. Dunolly – Mildura